President John Mahama arrived in Hohoe on Thursday to visit communities devastated by flooding that left more than 5,000 people displaced and hundreds of homes destroyed. He presented bags of rice, mattresses and other relief items to residents, while Dzata Cement pledged 5,000 bags of cement to aid reconstruction.
The deluge was caused by the River Dayi overflowing after heavy rains in neighbouring Togo, a pattern the President said is becoming more frequent as climate change alters rainfall patterns. “There’s something we call climate change, and so it’s leading to what we call extreme weather phenomena,” Mahama said.
During his visit, the President thanked traditional leaders, the Zongo chiefs, the Member of Parliament, the Municipal Chief Executive and other officials for their response efforts. He also highlighted the support from the Minister of Gender, the Minister of Roads and Highways and the National Disaster Management Organisation.
Mahama noted that the owner of Dzata Cement, whom he described as his younger brother, had committed 5,000 bags of cement to help residents rebuild. He directed that the relief items be distributed fairly, leaving distribution to the MP, the MC and the Regional Minister.
He expressed concern for the local hospital, conveying his wife Lordina Mahama’s worries about its safety. The Municipal Chief Executive, Prosper Kumi, confirmed that 5,336 people were affected, three key bridges had collapsed and access to some areas had been temporarily restored with boulders.
As the President concluded his visit, he urged continued vigilance and support for communities vulnerable to climate‑driven disasters, emphasizing that unpredictable rainfall—both excessive and drought—poses a growing challenge for Ghana.
